Dishwasher



Nov. 15, 1960 w. J. HEERLEIN ETAL 2,960,375

DISHWASHER Filed March 50, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 aa a 25 I 26 u w w H 35 8 3 4 o 35' as as INVENTOR WILLIAM r. HEERLEIN GRAYMOND c. THOMPSON T H E l R ATTORNE 1960 w. J. HEERLEIN ET AL 2,960,375

DISHWASHER Filed March 30, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1 FIGB 24 33 21 O a 28 i as t 25 cg J27 z" INVENTOR WILLIAM J. HEERLEIN 8 RAYMOND c. THOMPSON T HE I R ATTORNEY DISHWASHER William J. Heerlein, Fern Creek, Ky., and Raymond C. Thompson, New Albany, Ind., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 30, 1959, Ser. No. 802,713

Claims. (Cl. 312-228) This invention relates to dishwashing apparatus, and more particularly to dishwashers of the type having a laterally movable open top tub adapted to be mounted under a kitchen counter or the like.

In dishwashers of this type the tub is equipped with racks for supporting dishes therein and means are provided for impelling or spraying successive charges of washing fluid throughout the tub until the dishes are cleaned. The top opening of the tub must, of course, be covered during washing operations, and it is important that the tub cover and tub be sealed so as to prevent leakage of washing fluid. It is equally important that the tub be easily movable between its closed washing position and a forwardly extending position out from under the counter providing access to the tub.

Accordingly, the general object of this invention is to provide an improved dishwasher of this type including a simple and reliable arrangement for closing and sealing the top opening of the tub.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will became apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims appended to and forming a part of this specification.

Briefly stated, in one embodiment of the invention there is provided a dishwasher having an open top tub supported in a cabinet for lateral movement between a closed position in the cabinet and an open position, a tub cover mounted in the upper portion of the cabinet and a vertically extensible wall member forming an upward extension of the tub walls. A sealing gasket is provided on the upper edge of the Wall member and is so arranged that it is moved into sealing engagement with the tub cover upon vertical extension of the wall member. This movement is effected by camming devices carried by the tub and the cabinet which cooperate to effect sealing of the tub and cover when the tub is moved to its closed position.

For a better understanding of this invention reference may be made to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a dishwasher (in closed position) embodying the present invention, some of the parts being broken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the upper portion of the dishwasher shown in Fig. 1, the parts being shown as they appear when the dishwasher tub is partially open.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional View taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 but shows the parts in the position they occupy when the tub is in its partially open position.

While this invention may be utilized in various types ofundercounter dishwashers, there is shown in the drawings a presently preferred embodiment incorporated in a States Patent 0 dishwasher of the rotary impeller type. Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral 1 designates a cabinet having a top wall 2, a pair of side walls including side wall 3 (visible in the drawing) and a rear wall 4, all of which are arranged to form a rectanguar opening in the front of the cabinet. Mounted within cabinet 1 for lateral movement between a position within the cabinet and an open position forwardly extending therefrom is an open top tub, generally designated by the numeral 5, having a front wall 6, a generally conical bottom wall 7 and a peripheral top flange 8. A front panel 9 is suitably secured to front wall 6 of tub 5 and is provided with a trimstrip 10 which is preferably shaped so as to form a handle or gripping surface to facilitate withdrawal of the tube from the cabinet. Tub 5 is supported within cabinet 1 by means of any suitable sliding rail arrangement which, for example, may include a plurality of rollers 11 and 12 mounted on side wall 3 of the cabinet which cooperate with an extension slide 13 secured to the tub. Thus the entire tub assembly may be laterally moved from the closed washing position shown in Fig. l to a forwardly extending open position so as to provide easy access to the interior of the tub.

Located within tub 5 are racks 14 and 15 arranged to support dishes and other articles to be washed, a rotary impeller 16 mounted at the bottom of the tub and arranged to circulate sprays of water throughout the tub, and an enclosed tubular sheath heating unit 17 arranged to heat the water in the tub during washing operations. Impeller 16 is mounted on the shaft of an electric motor 18 which is also utilized to operate the impeller of a drain pump housed within pump housing 19 and connected to a drain line 20. Dishwasher 1 also includes a water inlet system comprising a solenoid valve 21 adapted to be connected to a suitable water inlet pipe and also to water discharge conduit 22 having an end or nozzle portion 23 arranged to discharge Water into tub 5.

During the course of a complete washing operation, it will be understood that solenoid valve 21 and motor 18 are energized and de-energized in a predetermined sequence, preferably by timer control device (not shown). The washing operation may include two preliminary rinsing cycles, a washing cycle and three final rinsing cycles, for example, during each of which water is admitted to tub 5 through inlet conduit 22, circulated by impeller 16, and finally discharged from the tub. It will also be understood that a quantity of detergent may be automatically deposited in the tub by suitable means (not shown) at the beginning of the washing cycle. From the description thus far it will be clear that a top cover for tub 5 is required and that a fluid type seal must be provided between the tub and the cover because otherwise the Water spray generated by impeller 16 would be thrown entirely out of the tub. This necessity has been recognized in the past, of course, and various cover arrangements, in which the cover is supported in the cabinet for vertical movement downwardly into engagement with the tub, have been proposed.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cover 24 locatedy in the upper portion of cabinet 1 and supported in fixed vertical relation to tub 5. Cover 24 is preferably mounted by means providing limited front-to-rear movement within the cabinet, such as rollers 25 and 26 secured to cabinet 1 and engageable with the cover and rail elements 27 and 28 respectively. Also, it is desirable that cover 24 be biased to its forward position, and a leaf spring 29 secured to the cabinet and in engagement with the front edge of the cover is provided for this purpose.

In order to provide a fluid type seal between the top peripheral portion of tub 5 and cover 24 there is pro-. vided a continuous vertically extensible wall member 30 carried by tub 5 adjacent the periphery of its top opening. Wall member 30 includes a lower portion 31 m sealing engagement with the top edges of the tub and a gasket portion 32 which is movable between an upper position in sealing engagement with cover 24 and a lower position out of engagement therewith. As shown in the drawings, the sealing relation between wall member 39 and tub 5 may be achieved by providing an upturned lip on the bottom edge of wall member 30 arranged in interlocking relation with flange 8 of the tub. Wall member 30 is formed of flexible material, such as rubber, and the intermediate portion thereof is folded so that the wall member may be extended upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 1. Thus with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1 cover 24 is sealed to the tub and the washing operation may proceed without loss of washing fluid. On the other hand, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 gasket 32 is out of engagement with cover 24 and the tub assembly including wall member 30 may be withdrawn from the cabinet, leaving cover 24 in the position shown in Fig. 2.

It is most desirable that the Sealing relation between tub 5 and cover 24 be effected automatically when the tub is moved from its forwardly extending loading position to its closed washing position. In accordance with the present invention this is accomplished by providing a rectangular frame 33 surrounding and secured to gasket portion 32 of wall member 30, and further by providing camming surfaces 34 and 35 positioned on the frame so as to cooperate with camming members 36 and 37 which are secured to cabinet 1. Frame 33 is of course vertically movable with gasket portion 32, but it is preferable that its lateral movement be restricted by means of one or more vertical pins 38 secured thereto and extending through an opening in adjacent guide brackets 39 fastened to the tub. Thus when the tub is Withdrawn from the cabinet, frame 33 rests on brackets 39 and gasket portion 32 is below the bottom surface of cover 24. As the tub is moved to its closed wash position, the inclined camming surfaces '34 and 35 engage camming members 36 and 57 (the latter being shown as rollers in the drawings) and hence continued inward movement of the tub causes these camming surfaces to ride up on the camming members, thus moving gasket portion 32 into engagement with cover 24. As previously mentioned, cover 24 is free to move laterally from the position shown in Fig. 2 toward the rear of the cabinet, and does so after gasket 32 makes sealing contact. This is desirable so as to avoid scraping and curling of the gasket during the final closing movement of the tub. Latching means for holding tub 5 in the position shown in Fig. l are also provided, this function being conveniently achieved by forming camming surface 34 so as to provide a recessed surface 40 on the bottom thereof shaped to engage camming member 36. Manual clo sure of tub 5 causes these parts to engage as shown in Fig. 1 (frame 33 being sufliciently flexible to allow camming surface 34 to ride over camming member 36) in which position appreciable force is required to withdraw tub 5 from the cabinet.

While we have shown and described a particular embodiment of our invention, we do not desire the invention to be limited to the particular construction disclosed, and we intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim is:

1. A dishwasher comprising a cabinet having a front opening, a tub having a top opening, means for supporting said tub in said cabinet for movement through said front opening between a closed position within the cabinet and an open position forwardly extending therefrom, a cover for the top opening of said tub mounted in the upper portion of said cabinet and guided for only lnrnted horizontal movement, a continuous vertically extensible Wall member carried by the tub adjacent the periphery of said top opening and guided for only limited vertical movement with respect to the tub, said wall member having a lower portion in sealing engagement with said tub and a gasket portion movable between an upper position in sealing engagement with said cover and a lower position out of engagement therewith, and camm ng means including means carried by said gasket portion and means carried by said cabinet for moving said gasket portion into sealing engagement with said cover upon movement of said tub from its forwardly extending position to its closed position within the cabinet, while the cover moves with the tub as the tub is first withdrawn from the cabinet until the said camming means lowers the vertically extensible wall member thus relasing the tub from the cover for complete withdrawal of the tub.

2. A dishwasher comprising a cabinet having a front opening, a tub having a top opening, means for supporting said tub in said cabinet for horizontal movement through said front opening between a closed position within the cabinet and an open position forwardly extending therefrom, a cover for the top opening of said tub mounted in the upper portion of said cabinet and guided for only limited horizontal movement, a continuous vertically extensible wall member carried by the tub adjacent the periphery of said top opening and guided for only limited vertical movement with respect to the tub, said wall member having a lower portion in sealing engagement with said tub and a gasket portion movable between an upper position in sealing engagement with said cover and a lower position out of engagement therewith, a frame member surrounding and secured to the gasket portion of said wall member, and camming means including means carried by said frame and means carried by said cabinet for moving said gasket portion into sealing engagement with said cover upon movement of said tub from its forwardly extending position to its closed position within the cabinet, while the cover moves with the tub as the tub is first withdrawn from the cabinet until the said camming means lowers the vertically extensible wall member thus releasing the tub from the cover for complete withdrawal of the tub.

3. A dishwasher comprising a cabinet having a front opening, a tub having a rectangular top opening, means for supporting said tub in said cabinet for movement through said front opening between a closed position within the cabinet and an open position forwardly extending therefrom, a rectangular cover for the top opening of said tub located in the upper portion of said cabinet, means carried by said cabinet for supporting said cover in fixed vertical relation to said tub while permitting limited front-to-rear movement of the cover within the cabinet, spring means biasing said cover to its forwardmost position, a continuous vertically extensible wall member carried by the tub adjacent the periphery of said top opening, said wall member having a lower portion in sealing engagement with said tub and a gasket portion movable between an upper position in sealing engagement with said cover and a lower position out of engagement therewith, camming means including means carried by said tub and means carried by said cabinet for moving said gasket portion of said wall member into sealing engagement with said cover upon movement of said tub from its forwardly extending position to its closed position, and latching means engageable upon movement of the tub to its closed position for holding the tub in the latter position.

4. A dishwasher comprising a cabinet having a front opening, a tub having a rectangular top opening, means for supporting said tub in said cabinet for movement through said front opening between a closed position within the cabinet and an open position forwardly extending therefrom, a rectangular cover for the top opening of said tub located in the upper portion of said cabinet, means carried by said cabinet for supporting said cover in fixed vertical relation to said tub, a continuous vertically extensible wall member carried by the tub adjacent the periphery of said top opening, said wall member having a lower portion in sealing engagement with said tub and a gasket portion movable between an upper position in sealing engagement with said cover and a lower position out of engagement therewith, a rectangular frame surrounding and secured to the gasket portion of said wall member, said frame having side and rear portions provided with a plurality of camming surfaces, a plurality of camming members secured to said cabinet, said camming surfaces and camming members being arranged to move the gasket portion of said wall member into sealing engagement with said cover upon movement of said tub from its open position to its closed position, and latching means engageable upon movement of the tub to its closed position for holding the tub in the latter position.

5. A dishwasher comprising a cabinet having a front opening, a tub having a rectangular top opening, means for supporting said tub in said cabinet for movement through said front opening between a closed position within the cabinet and an open position forwardly extending therefrom, a rectangular cover for the top opening of said tub located in the upper portion of said cabinet, means carried by said cabinet for supporting said cover in fixed vertical relation to said tub while permitting limited front-to-rear movement of the cover within the cabinet, spring means biasing said cover to its forwardmost position, a continuous vertically extensible wall member carried by the tub adjacent the periphery of said opening, said wall member having a lower portion in sealing engagement with said tub and a gasket portion movable between an upper position in sealing engagement with said cover and a lower position out of engagement therewith, a rectangular frame surrounding and secured to the gasket portion of said wall member, said frame having side and rear portions provided with a plurality of camming surfaces, a plurality of camming members secured to said cabinet, each of said camming members being engagable With one of said camming surfaces, said camming surfaces and camming members being arranged to move the gasket portion of said wall member into sealing engagement with said cover upon movement of said tub from its open position to its closed position, and latching means engageable upon movement of the tub to its closed position for holding the tub in the latter position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,906,723 Rosendahl May 2, 1933 2,613,837 Morton Oct. 14, 1952 2,668,091 Clark Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION November 15 1960 Patent No. 2 960 375 William J. Heerlein et al'."

he above numbered patthat error appears in t Patent should read as It is hereby certified d that the said Letters ent requiring correction an corrected below.

Column 4 line 18, for relasing read releasing column 6 line 6, for "said opening" read said top opening Signed and sealed this 25th day of. April 1961.

(sEAL) Attest: I

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

